Growth of international air service creates a need for improved customer facilities

Friday, March 17, 2017

SAN DIEGO – March 17, 2017 – The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board on March 2 voted to move forward construction of a new Federal Inspection Services facility (to house Customs and Border Protection, and other international passenger arrival services) in Terminal 2 West. The project has an approved budget of $229.47 million and is scheduled to be operational in June 2018, just 15 months from now. Project contractor is Turner/PCL.

An accelerated work schedule is necessitated by faster than anticipated growth of international arriving passengers due to the introduction of new international, nonstop air service. Today, San Diego International Airport (SAN) welcomes more than 300,000 international arriving passengers annually. That figure is projected to grow to 400,000 passengers by 2024 and could exceed 650,000 passengers by 2036.

“We are enjoying great success in building a network of nonstop air service around the globe, connecting families, friends and travelers to San Diego,” said Airport Authority Board Chairman April Boling. “The new facility will not only help operationally accommodate increased demand, but improve the processing experience for passengers with reduced wait times and a more welcoming environment,” she added.

In 2018, international air travel is anticipated to contribute $432 million in annual economic impact to the region. If all of the projected international routes are added, that impact is estimated to exceed $1 billion by 2037.

According to the San Diego Tourism Authority, international visitors to San Diego stay 30 percent longer and spend 43 percent more than domestic visitors.

Today, nine airlines offer nonstop service to six countries on three continents. British Airways has provided nonstop service to London since 2011 and Japan Air Lines introduced nonstop service to Tokyo in 2013.